IoT FEATURE NEWS

NTT Security, the specialized security company of NTT Group, has released their 2019 predictions regarding cyber-security. The predictions include a possible major attack on critical infrastructure.

The company has published its set of predictions based on findings from the 2018 Risk:Value report and the Global Threat Intelligence Report. The new predictions are ranked according to the possible impact it will have and when it might occur. This knowledge allows specialists to have an understanding of the result, which is a comprehensive insight into the key events that could come to pass in the upcoming year.

What are some of NTT Security’s predictions for 2019? Crypto-mining software could provide clues to broader criminal motivations.

“A major cybercriminal group could be caught by carelessly dropping a breadcrumb trail of crypto-mining software. In 2019, crypto-mining functionality could be commonly observed in multiple malware variants and types. Cyber attack campaigns, especially those for financially motivated threat actors, could include some type of crypto-mining malware. Researchers investigating such breaches may start to use detection of crypto-mining malware as a sign of a larger intrusion and compromise as threat actors carelessly drop crypto-mining malware on systems as they push toward their goals,” said Terrance DeJesus, threat research analyst, NTT Security.

Operational technology will become a major target. Places such as energy, medical, transport, water and manufacturing facilities could face potential attacks on their availability.

“A cyber attack on operational technology or smart cities may cause a major impact on critical natural infrastructure services in the developed world, leading to a major health or safety impact on the nation’s citizens,” said Garry Sidaway, SVP Security Strategy and Alliances, NTT Security.

Blockchain will become more of a necessity during 2019. NTT Security feels that enterprises should explore blockchain solutions to de-risk business processes. “2019 could be a transformative year for blockchain technology implementation in the enterprise. While its implementation in an organization’s digital transformation is not a cure-all, there are elements of blockchain that make it more secure. Decision-makers are advised to explore blockchain technology to determine if it’s right for their business, but don’t just jump on the bandwagon because everyone is talking about it. As with any business decision, make it an informed one,” said Aaron Perkins, Senior Security Intelligence Writer, NTT Security.

NTT Security describes AI as an exciting concept, but they warn customers to not forget about the people, tools and processes. “AI is no longer the stuff of science fiction films. It’s already here, driving a fourth industrial revolution, which promises to radically reshape the world and society we live in. While there is plenty to get excited about, AI is not a silver bullet and we could see it continue to create a false sense of security in 2019,” said Kai Grunwitz, SVP EMEA, NTT Security.

Other important measures to take are that security follows IT in moving from blocker to enabler. Also that assessing and managing risk becomes the mantra for cloud.

NTT Security is dedicated to fighting the cyber-security problem by giving consumers the necessary tool to combat this growing occurrence.

Chrissie Cluney has been a correspondent for IoT Evolution World since 2015. She holds a degree in English with a concentration in writing from the College of Saint Elizabeth.